Living Out the Gospel (Resisting Evil) - a podcast by Lewis Marsh
from 2021-08-15T20:02:31
Life As It Was Meant to Be
Part 10: Living Out the Gospel
Louie Marsh, 9-15-2021
The slave driver of the Roman trireme leered down at his galley slaves and bellowed, "I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that you'll be getting double rations tonight!" The murmuring of the surprised slaves as they struggled with their oars was interrupted by the slave driver. "The bad news is that this afternoon the commander's son wants to water-ski."
1) REST in God’s Peace.
“1Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,” (2 Thessalonians 2:1–3, ESV)
AS believers we don’t have to get all upset over things, yet we so often do! The return of Christ is GOOD news!! If all the silly rumors, etc. upset you and throw you into a tizzy – that’s a sign you don’t understand and live in God’s peace.
2) RECOGNIZE you must confront evil.
“16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17, ESV)
As believers we cannot just ignore the evil around and within us! WE must confront it, fight it, and overcome it through the power of God!
Saying what is good IS confronting evil – and takes lots of courage!
Basic Truths About Evil:
- Satan is REAL.
“9The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, ESV)
“14And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14, ESV)
Pictures of Jim Jones, Himmler and Pol Pot.
- The battlefield is my SOUL.
“31“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”” (Luke 22:31–32, ESV)
You’ve got to understand that this is one thing that sets the Bible apart – it teaches us that God is a personal being – and so is the devil!! No impersonal force here!
You’ve also got to understand THIS IS PERSONAL!! Evil is alive, lead by a person – and is after YOU!
- Jesus will PROTECT me from Satan.
“18We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18, ESV)
Satan can hassle us, tempt us, put us through all kinds of trouble, but he can’t posses us, enter us, or control us!
- Jesus Name is my WEAPON!
“30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”” (Acts 4:30, ESV)
Basic Things to Do:
- Act COURAGEOUSLY
- Hang on to my HOPE IN CHRIST
- Find my encouragement in
- Receive His STRENGTH
- DO AND SAY what is good.
3) REJOICE in Christ’s Victory!
“8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”…“13But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8,13–14, ESV)
Things to Be Thankful For:
- In the end – GOD WINS!
- God loves ME!
- Christ died to save ME.
- I share in Christ’s GLORY.
Further episodes of River Church Sermons
Further podcasts by Lewis Marsh
Website of Lewis Marsh